Description

OVERVIEW: The 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers were the first US post-war destroyers (DD-927 to DD-930 were completed as destroyer leaders). Commissioned beginning in 1953, these ships served until the late 1980s. Their weaponry underwent considerable modification during their years of service. Four were converted to guided missile destroyers.

DETAILS: At the time they entered service, these ships were the largest US destroyers ever built, 418 feet (127 m) long, with a standard displacement of 2800 tons. They were originally armed with (3) 5-inch (127 mm)/54 caliber guns mounted in single turrets (one forward and two aft), (4) 3-inch (76 mm)/50 caliber AA guns in twin mounts, as well as hedgehogs and torpedoes for ASW. However, over the years, weaponry was considerably modified. The hedgehogs and 3-inch (76 mm) guns were removed from all ships during the 1960s and 1970s. In addition the fixed torpedo tubes were replaced by (2) triple 12.75 inches (324 mm) Mark 32 torpedo tube mounts. Eight of the class were modernized to improve their ASW capabilities, becoming the Barry class. These ships were fitted with an eight cell ASROC launcher in place of the No. 2 5-inch (127mm) gun, and with a variable-depth sonar system.

Four of the destroyers - John Paul Jones (DD-932), Parsons (DD-949), Decatur (DD-936), and Somers (DD-947) - were converted to guided missile destroyers.

As a test platform, the Hull (DD-945) carried the Navy's prototype 8"/55 caliber Mark 71 gun light-weight gun from 1975-1978 when the program was canceled, and the 5-inch mount was restored. USS Hull remains the only modern destroyer-type to carry an 8-inch (203 mm) gun.

Hull (DD-945) and later ships were equipped with B&W Bailey Meter Company's new automatic boiler combustion control system, and a modified hurricane bow/anchor configuration. These ships are listed as Hull-class destroyers in some references.